“The reader should be aware that abortion statistics are often hard to obtain, and those statistics that are available are frequently inaccurate.

“Official abortion statistics are often low due to incomplete reporting. In the United States, for example, not all states mandate such reporting. Even in those states that require or encourage reporting of abortion statistics, this reporting is incomplete (as demonstrated by higher numbers reported to abortion advocacy organizations). From 1988 to 1997, the total number of U.S. abortions reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control was 11.3% lower than the total number reported to the Alan Guttmacher Institute (the research branch of Planned Parenthood). In 1998 four states discontinued state-level gathering of abortion statistics, contributing to the 25.4% drop in CDC figures from 1997 to 1998.” (Source: Johnston Archive)

Types of Abortions

Surgical:Suction Aspiration (4-10 Weeks) – This is the most common method of abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. General or local anesthesia is given to the mother and her cervix is quickly dilated. A suction curette (hollow tube with a knife-edged tip) is inserted into the womb. This instrument is then connected to a vacuum machine by a transparent tube. The vacuum suction tears the fetus and placenta into small pieces which are sucked through the tube into a bottle and discarded. Examine POC (product of conception) to identify the fetus, placenta, and/or sac. – Dr. J.C. Wilke

Dilation and Curettage (6-14 Weeks) – This method is similar to the suction method with the added insertion of a hook shaped knife (curette) which cuts the baby into pieces. The pieces are scraped out through the cervix and discarded [Note: This abortion method should not be confused with a therapeutic D&C done for reasons other than pregnancy]. – Dr. J.C. Wilke

Chemical:RU486 (up to 7 Weeks) – Thirteen percent (13%) of all abortions in the United States involve the drug mifepristone.

“The abortion pill, mifepristone, is administered up to 49 days from the first day of the last menstrual cycle. A second drug, misoprostol, is then given to help expel the pregnancy from the uterus.” (www.RU486.com)
FDA (Federal Food and Drug Administration) has asked Danco Laboratories, manufacturer of the drug, to submit safety plans by September 21st 2008; just 8 years after approving the abortion drug. This plan will help patients and physicians know the dangers of a drug used improperly. To date, (April 1, 2008) 13 women have died, 9 had life threatening incidents, 116 required blood transfusions, and 232 hospitalizations. – Jane Axelrad of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research

Plan B aka The Morning After Pill (up to 72 hours after unprotected sex) – “prevent implantation, not fertilization. Consequently, they should not be called contraceptive pills . . . Because the term abortion refers to the premature stoppage of a pregnancy, the term abortion could be applied to such an early termination of pregnancy. A zygote is the beginning of a new human being.” -The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology, 6th ed., Moore et al. 1998